Head of EU Diplomacy Calls for International Investigation of Aircraft Incident in Minsk

• 24.05.2021, 9:54

The actions of the Belarusian authorities posed a risk to the safety of passengers and crew.

The head of the European Union diplomacy Josep Borrell announced the need for an international investigation of the incident with the Ryanair hijacking in the sky over Belarus, reports TASS.

"An international investigation into the incident should be carried out to establish any facts of violation of international aviation law," reads the statement of Borrell, published on Monday on the EU Council website.

Borrell believes the actions of the Belarusian authorities posed a risk to the safety of passengers and crew members.

The head of European diplomacy also noted that the EU summit would discuss the situation on May 24-25 in Brussels. "The EU will consider the consequences of these actions, including counteractions against those responsible [for the incident]," he concluded.

Yesterday Lukashenka ordered a military helicopter and a fighter jet into the air to force a Ryanair plane flying Athens-Vilnius to land. Also, Belarusian air traffic controllers reported an alleged bomb on board. The plane landed in Minsk. There was journalist Raman Pratasevich on board; he and his girlfriend were detained.